Perth II : Global change and the world's mountains

Mountain areas occupy 24% of the Earth’s land surface; they are home to 12% of the global population, and another 14% of the population live in their immediate proximity. Globally, mountain areas are vital sources of water for agricultural, industrial, and domestic use. They include major centres of biodiversity, often coinciding with centres of cultural diversity where traditional ecological knowledge is maintained. In an urbanising world, mountain areas are key locations for tourism and recreation. 

Mountain systems are particularly fragile, and subject to both natural and anthropogenic drivers of change. These range from volcanic and seismic events and flooding to global climate change and the loss of vegetation and soils because of inappropriate agricultural and forestry practices and extractive industries. Thus, many mountain ecosystems are moving along trajectories that couple high rates of environmental change with strong economic changes. The collective effect may be to alter the ability of these ecosystems to provide critical goods and services to both mountain and lowland people.

In October 2005, many of these issues were addressed in the Open Science Conference of the GLOCHAMORE (Global Change and Mountain Regions) project, funded principally by the EU 6th Framework Programme, with further support from UNESCO, took place in Perth, Scotland. The event was organised by the Centre for Mountain Studies (CMS) at Perth College UHI in collaboration with the other GLOCHAMORE project partners, and was attended by 210 people from 41 countries. Published outcomes included the GLOCHAMORE Research Strategy, the proceedings, and a number of special issues of peer-reviewed journals. 

Five years later, the CMS, in collaboration with the Mountain Research Initiative (MRI), is organising a second conference on global change and the world’s mountains. The conference is also endorsed by the Global Land Project of the IGBP and IHDP, UNESCO’s Man and the Biosphere (MAB) programme, and the Commission on Mountain Response to Global Change of the International Geographical Union.

By bringing scientists from around the world to Perth, it will be a major contribution to the celebration of the 800th anniversary of Perth being granted Royal Burgh status by King William the Lion of Scotland in 1210.

Contact details:
- For programme details: Professor Martin Price 
+44 (0)1738 87 72 17 
martin.price@perth.uhi.ac.uk 
- For organisational details: Angela Paterson 
+44 (0)1738 87 77 61 
mountain.conf@perth.uhi.ac.uk